US oil refineries spewing cancer-causing benzene into communities, report finds | Pollution

A dozen US oil refineries last yr exceeded the federal restrict on average benzene emissions.

Among the 12 refineries that emitted above the utmost degree for benzene, 5 were in Texas, four in Louisiana, and one every in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a new evaluation by the Environmental Integrity Undertaking revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a known carcinogen that is extremely toxic and unstable when uncovered to air. Much of the excess emissions come through leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and other means which might be hard to detect.

The Environmental Safety Agency estimates 6.1 million people in the US dwell within three miles of a refinery, with low-income individuals and people of color represented at rates nearly twice that of the final population.

Out of 129 operable oil refineries in 2021, 118 reported benzene concentration registered at or close to the positioning, in any other case generally known as the fence-line.

Practically half of those refineries launched benzene levels above 3 micrograms per cubic meter, which the Environmental Integrity Challenge defines as a long-term potential well being menace.

The EPA requires amenities to take action if they exceed a median 9 micrograms per cubic meter, or above “action stage” emission of benzene.

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene below the motion level, year after 12 months, we really need to see enforcement from the EPA,” said Eric Schaeffer, the manager director of the Environmental Integrity Undertaking, in a press convention. “You have to start paying penalties when your fence-line levels persist,” he added.

Lifetime publicity to benzene at levels as low as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter could cause a threat of up to one further cancer case for every a million exposed, in line with the EPA. The upper the extent of benzene, the upper the well being danger.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas City had the highest common web benzene levels in 2021, in response to the analysis of the self-reported information. Roughly 37,000 people stay within a three-mile radius of the refinery. Amongst them, 62% are people of colour and 47% are low-income.

“This evaluation provides necessary insight into why the Houston area is an industrial cancer hotspot,” said Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, at the press convention.

“Individuals dwelling near these facilities have better [exposure] to lifetime most cancers risk than another part of the state, but the regulatory agencies liable for defending us proceed to approve permits for these amenities,” Gutierrez said.

Environmental Integrity Project notes that its evaluation didn't measure concentrations of benzene inside neighborhoods adjacent to refineries, and does not reflect the precise levels of benzene inside the communities.

Marathon Petroleum and the EPA didn't instantly respond to a request for remark.